“Hey, Pipe?”
“Hmm?”
“Up for a Nightmare Night in the Hive-City?”
“Please. I need a holiday out of the town. It's starting to fill with stupid and I'm now allergic to stupid,” Pipe said, giving his best performance of being sick.
“Gee, who could have guessed?” Moorland teased.
“Oi!” Pipe called, giving her the most over the top, comical and sappy 'Hurt' look possible, causing the Changeling Queen to be to break down in hysterics.
“Anyway,” Pipe said, regaining composure. “What about your job?”
“I have a stand in,” she said. “Though, she couldn't mangle cigars and be intimidating.”
“So you had to train her?” he asked.
“Yes, but she still managed to mess it up,” Moorland grumbled.
Pipe chuckled softly.
“Nothing can replace you,” the pegasus replied. “Besides, if she's that bad, why not get a member of the dream guard to do your job?”
“Daydream Guards, Lunar Dream Guards and Solar Dream Guards are needed in their respective fields,” Moorland replied.
“Wait....your hive has Daydream guards?” Pipe asked. “May I ask why such concept exists?”
“Many ponies and other creatures often daydream and have terrors within Daydreams. Since Luna doesn't do Daydream walking or Dream walking in those who sleep in the daytime, she had to relegate that duty elsewhere,” Moorland said. “Since My mom was Luna's old friend and even her foalsitter for a few years, Luna basically asked if it'd be alright.”
“I see,” Pipe said.
“Yes. Our guards take and act as anchors, so if said pony or other creature is scared or having some form of a nightmare, they can tend to matter with no issue. They are able to help push the victim through their nightmare to a more relaxed dream,” Moorland said.
“Ah, I see,” Pipe replied.
Moorland nodded.
“However, that comes with a drawback,” she said.
“Oh?” he asked.
“Many who are born with those powers are afraid to use them, as many characters are disgusted with them,” she said.
“We'll sort it out,” Pipe said, walking over and draping a wing over her.
She smiled up at him.
“Thank you,” she said.
“That's what friends are for,” he said, smiling.
The two continued to plan out the vacation. However, a problem soon arose.
“It's a themed Nightmare Night and said theme is “underappreciated workers”,” Moorland said.
“I can find a costume,” he said.
She gave him an unsure nod and watched him leave. Pipe had a plan, though. He made his way down to a small shop in the back corner of Van Hoover.
“Morning Pipe,” a silverish Blue mare said.
“Morning Prop Kit,” Pipe said.
“Need some help?” she asked.
“I need bits and pieces for a Chimney Sweep costume,” Pipe said.
“Ah,” she said.
He perused the store, grabbing the necessary pieces and even a make up kit. He decided to look around before spotting the pieces necessary for a fish monger costume. He grabbed them up, and hurriedly paid for them.
“Something fishy?” Prop Kit teased.
“Nope, just attempting something stupid,” Pipe said.
“Attempting to date a princess while in disguise?” she asked.
“No, out changeling a Changeling,” Pipe said.
“You are one nutty colt,” Prop said.
“Considering she's the only one who can put up with me,” Pipe teased. “You left me after five minutes.”
“I know,” she teased.
He left the shop, stopping on the way to do some grocery shopping. He had promised her he'd pick up some groceries. It was an easy in and out job.
Returning, he found Moorland writing up lists out the wall.
“Your acting like Twilight, you know that?” he teased.
“Shaddup!” Moorland huffed.
“You train under her?” he teased again.
Moorland grabbed a stress ball and threw it at Pipe, getting it to bounce off his head.
“Ouch,” he said, feigning pain.
“Baby,” Moorland snorted.
Pipe doubled over, laughing to the point of bursting.
“You clever little so and so,” Moorland said. “If I wasn't so nice right now, I'd throw you out.”
Pipe straightened up and put all the groceries away after setting his costumes to the side.
“Anyway, I've got everything ready,” he said. “We can work on costumes later. Right now, what're you in the mood for?
“A salmon lasagna,” Moorland said.
Pipe set to work cooking one up while she sat and examined the contents of the bags.